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HUNTSVILLE, Texas – HBU had five players in double figures – led by freshman guard's Bria Johnson's career high 10 points – but the Huskies could not overcome two 19-point performances by Sam Houston State and 64 percent shooting by the Bearkats in a 78-70 loss to SHSU Saturday afternoon from the Johnson Coliseum.

Anna Strickland and Monet Neal each scored 15 points to lead HBU (11-12 overall, 6-7 SLC), while Strickland pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds for her 18th double-double of the season. Rachel Arthur scored 11 points with four assists and two steals. Johnson and Heidi Sihvola both dropped 10 points, while Johnson also tied her personal mark of six assists. Lisa Zderadicka added seven points. HBU as a team shot 42 percent from the floor.

Shernise Robertson and Kamry Orr both scored 19 points for SHSU (9-14, 5-8), while Angela Beadle posted a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Bearkats were hot from the floor, shooting 64 percent overall and 50 percent from beyond the arc.

HBU was bit by the turnover bug in the first quarter, turning the ball over seven times resulting in eight SHSU points. HBU never led in the quarter, but cut the deficit as close as three following a jumper by Zderadicka, but the Bearkats ended the frame on a 9-0 run to take a 27-15 after 10 minutes.

HBU began the second quarter on a 15-4 run – highlighted by back-to-back treys by Arthur – to cut the Bearkat lead to three, 31-28, with 5:26 remaining in the opening half. The Bearkats scored seven of the next eight points to increase their lead to nine, 38-29, with 3:40 remaining. The Huskies came as close as five following a Zderadicka jumper, but Robertson's layup at the 1:50-mark gave the Bearkats a seven-point lead, 40-33, at the break.

Arthur and Strickland paced the Huskies with nine points apiece, while Neal had a half-high six rebounds. Orr and Robertson each had 11 points for SHSU. As a team, HBU shot 50 percent from the floor compared to 63 percent for the Bearkats.

Down by as many as 11 in the third quarter, HBU outscored SHSU, 14-2, in a three-minute span to take its first lead of the game, 49-48, with just under four minutes left in the frame. Johnson made a splendid diving save to keep the ball alive, which went to Strickland for the one-point lead. The lead was short-lived, however, as Orr made a three-pointer in the corner and was fouled in the process. She made the freebie for the four-point play. The Huskies came as close as one after a Neal free throw, but the Bearkats outscored HBU, 4-1, in the final 2:31 for a three-point lead entering the final period.

HBU opened the final segment outscoring SHSU, 8-1, to take a 58-57 lead following consecutive layups by Sihvola and Neal. After Robertson made a layup to give the hosts the one-point lead again, the Bearkats increased their lead to eight with 4:44 remaining. After Strickland hit a free throw to cut the deficit to seven, Robertson hit a back-breaking triple to give the Bearkats a 10-point lead with two minutes remaining. HBU continued to battle, going on a 7-2 run to cut the deficit to five, but could not get any closer.

HBU plays at Incarnate Word on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.